Tim Pernetti was pensive, obviously intelligent and had a subtle but quick sense of humor.

That’s what I remember most from the last time I sat down and interviewed him. That was in the fall of 1993. He was a senior on the Rutgers football team, a backup tight end playing behind a sophomore named Marco Battaglia.

Battaglia went on to be a first-team All-American. Pernetti went on to be the university’s Director of Athletics.

That was made official Thursday afternoon at a press conference here in the Paul Robeson Center. This was no sit-down after a team dinner. This was in front of TV cameras, radio microphones, print media, Rutgers officials and Rutgers coaches representing various sports.

It was also in front of his family.

In many ways he seemed like the same kid from his college days, except now he’s all grown up. He is 38, married, the father of two boys and a girl, and the maturity, poise and confidence he displayed left no doubt he can handle this job.

And the guy bleeds Scarlet.

That may prove to better serve the athletic department than anything. Which is not to suggest he brings little else.

With a support system already in place within the athletic department, his strengths will blend ideally.

“”People that know me know how I feel about Rutgers, and I’ve always felt that way and I always will feel that way,” he said at the podium as his two-year-old daughter stirred in her mother’s arms. “”I also know the challenge ahead of me. At the same time I am passionate about the school, I know the challenge ahead of me … I’m up to the task. As you can see, my daughter’s not quite ready to be.”

That drew laughter, but as mom gingerly headed to the hallway, it became evident why a national search ended in Rutgers’ back yard.

“”I have a clear understanding of my responsibility,” Pernetti said. “”The only way I can succeed at this job is by succeeding at my position to make for a better experience and a positive difference in the lives of young people. That’s really what collegiate athletics is really all about.

“”And that’s the experience I had,” he added. “”And to be in a position to now to pass it on to others is very exciting for me.”

As Pernetti said, he had no illusions about the NFL after those summer workouts freshman year. His mom was a widow, and he worked at earning a scholarship.

He did play. It’s just that he was no Marco Battaglia.

“”It made me really make a commitment to one thing,” he said, “”and that was when I was on the field, I worked as hard as anybody. When I was in the classroom, I worked as hard as anybody. And that to me has always been what the student-athlete experience is about. But athletics last for a while and degrees last a lifetime. And I’m living proof of that.”

Pernetti spoke with Battaglia Wednesday night. Roommates on the road for two seasons, they have remained good friends.

“”Marco told me, “I saw this coming, a mile away.’ Marco loves this place,” Pernetti said, “”and he’s always known how I felt about Rutgers, and it’s only because I’ve expressed it to him. It’s not because years ago I said to him, “I’m going to be A.D. here one day.’

“”I think if I wanted to have a job on certain campuses over the past seven or eight years, I probably could have had opportunities to have those jobs,” Pernetti said. “”But I’m not interested in doing this kind of job anywhere but here.”

I believe he will do the job well. He has the temperment, the intelligence, the perspective, he has the passion.